Let’s be real, nobody at Thanksgiving is ever really there for the mains. It’s everything else on the table—appetizers! sides! desserts!—that gets us excited. So this year, we’re granting ourselves full permission to skip the turkey and focus on the things that really matter. Things like luxurious potatoes, cheesy casseroles, and all the other dishes we've waited all year to devour. The following recipes prove that your Thanksgiving feast can be rich in color, texture, and flavor, all without a turkey or ham in sight. And guess what: they're all vegetarian. Pick an option from each category below each to build your meal, and we promise, nobody will miss the bird.
FOR STARTERS…
Store-bought puff pastry, two different ways: spicy glazed figs with creamy goat cheese wrapped in a buttery crust, and savory palmiers stuffed with cremini, herbs, and Parm.
GREENS AND THINGS
Vibrant, flavorful vegetables will be the star of this feast. That could mean this classic green bean casserole, or it could mean something a little fresher: coconutty creamed greens, a zesty cauliflower number. Must have green beans but don't want the classic? Here’s a snappier, smokier option.
SQUASH AND SWEET POTATOES
Our favorite winter vegetables don’t come in green. Make a citrusy squash-centric salad, puréed sweet potatoes, or a warming butternut gratin to add some orange to your plate.
THE MOST IMPORTANT CARB
Potatoes are a Thanksgiving non-negotiable. Here are just a few of our favorite preparations, whether you like them mashed and creamy, roasted and crispy—or all of the above.
A BREAD AND SOME ROLLS
This stunning, savory bread allows you to enjoy pumpkin before dessert; this recipe for rolls lets your imagination run wild.
ALL THINGS CHEESY
Everything's better with a little (or a lot) of cheese, and that includes your leafy greens, squash, and of course, pasta.
STUFFING OF ALL KINDS
Luxuriously rich bread pudding. Herby wild rice. And a sage-scented dressing that puts leftover biscuits to good use.
SOPHISTICATED SWEETS
Here are two riffs on our favorite Thanksgiving pies. First up: A chocolate-hazelnut pie that apes pecan pie with its gooey, espresso-infused filling. Next: A rich and tangy bourbon-spiked pumpkin cheesecake with a nutty graham cracker crust.
FESTIVE SIPPING
Thanks to a dose of chocolate bitters, this smoky make-ahead cocktail works just as well at the end of the meal as it does at the beginning.
